03 MARCH 2015

Taihia Edges Out Jackson In Rematch

In a rematch of their October 2012 draw, billed “Unfinished Business”, Adrian Taihia came out on top after 10 close rounds against Gunnar Jackson to capture the vacant WBF Oceania Super Middleweight title at the ABA Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday(April 5).

In front of a sell-out crowd, both boxers started the bout boxing behind the jab, but it wasn’t long before big punches were being thrown and half-way through the fight it was a very even contest on the scorecards, with Taihia leading by one point on two cards and the third having it all even.

From the sixth round on Taihia gained more momentum, but the game Jackson never gave up and often rallied back to make the rounds close. Entering the tenth and final stanza, it was anybody’s guess who was ahead and both warriors tried to knock the other man out right up to the final bell.

As the bell rang Jackson and Taihia collapsed into each other’s arms in respect of the tough battle that had just taken place. The final scores were 96-95, 97-94 and 98-93, all in favor of Taihia.

The new champion improved his professional record to 9-1-2 (4), while Jackson dropped to 15-4-3 (5).